The Guyana Police Force Traffic Department has released its latest figures, which are both encouraging and troubling.
Encouraging, because 331 driving under the influence (DUI) convictions in just the first months of 2026 show enforcement is alive and well and offenders are being held accountable.
Troubling, because the same figures point to a continuing, and dangerous, culture of indifference to road safety that continues to endanger lives.
Fines of more than $21.8 million might sound like a badge of success, but they’re not revenue to celebrate.
It is instead a yardstick for how common and deeply rooted dangerous behaviour is on Guyana’s roads. Each conviction is a choice, a choice which could have easily turned tragic.
The truth is clear, alcohol impaired driving is not just a bad decision, but a decision with consequences that can never be reversed.
It’s not new science and it’s not debatable. Alcohol impairs judgment, slows reaction time and reduces coordination.
It can cause blurry vision and make it difficult for drivers to gauge distance and motion.
In practice this means late braking, bad lane discipline and an inability to react to sudden hazards.
Even more worrisome is the fact that impairment can occur below the legal limit of 35 micrograms. Meaning, many drivers are impaired well before they think they are “over the limit.”
The law is plain. It is an offence under section 39A (1) to drive or attempt to drive a vehicle above the prescribed alcohol level.
However, the continued presence of DUI cases indicates that legislation is not sufficient. Enforcement has to be visible and consistent but has to be supported by a cultural shift that makes drinking and driving socially unacceptable – not just illegal.
No less alarming is the prevalence of disregard for traffic laws in a wider area, as evidenced by such offences as parking motor vehicles in dangerous places.
The number of tickets issued for this infraction, 1,875 in the first quarter alone, speaks volumes about the behaviour of drivers, especially in and around Georgetown.
While it may seem like a minor inconvenience, improper parking has real-world implications.
That adds to congestion, increases the risk of accidents and causes daily frustration for thousands of road users.
This is not just a question of poor infrastructure, although the lack of adequate parking in a growing urban environment is undeniable. And it’s a matter of attitude.
Too many drivers think they are entitled, and they do not follow the rules until they are forced to by enforcement.
The tendency to seek “cover” or escape accountability when caught only reinforces a culture of indiscipline on our roads.
So the solutions have to be more than just ticketing. As vehicle ownership continues to increase, investment in structured parking, both flat and multi-level, is a practical necessity.
Meanwhile, the likes of towing services, tiered impound fees and alternative commuting strategies such as carpooling and park-and-ride schemes deserve serious consideration, and more importantly, public buy-in.
But infrastructure and policy can only go so far. It’s behaviour that counts. Road safety is a matter of individual responsibility.
A decision by a driver to get behind the wheel after drinking, or to leave a vehicle where it can be a hazard to others, is a decision about much more than their own convenience.
The cost of these decisions is not only measured in fines, wasted fuel, or lost time. It is measured in injuries, in lives cut short, in the lasting trauma of families and communities.
The message from authorities is simple and bears repeating, careful driving saves lives. It’s not when they’re being watched, but in that quiet moment, before they make a choice that could change everything. The question is whether drivers will listen.